Hi.
Welcome to How To With Mary Allison.
There are many misconceptions society has about individuals living with a disability
One of the biggest and most frustrating to me
is the misconception that a physical disability decreases a person's independence
While a physical disability can make life a bit more challenging
It should not eliminate a person's independence.
One of the biggest independence milestones all Americans look forward to
Is the ability to drive.
Once we turn an acceptable age
and pass the appropriate test
an entire new world of independence and responsibility becomes available.
The great thing is
that for most people who have limited use of their lower extremities
driving is quite simple
and doesn't require many modifications.
The first step to driving is learning what type of adaptations you may need.
Just because you use a wheel chair
That does not mean you must buy an accessible van
with a ramp or lift.
In fact, most individuals with the majority of hand and arm function
can buy any type of vehicle right off of the lot.
If you are new to adaptive driving
or are unsure what type of accommodations you may need
Then you will need to meet with a physical or occupational therapist
or a certified driver rehabilitation specialist.
Contact your state's department of vocational or rehabilitation services
To learn about the steps it takes to receive a driver's license.
Most states require you to go through an adaptive drivers lesson before you are able to get your license
But they also have programs
where the lessons and modifications are at little or no cost to you.
Once you have figured out what general accommodations you may need on your vehicle
You will need to do some research on the specifics of your modifications.
Hand controls are one of the most common adaptations
for individuals that have limited leg functions.
There are 3 main types of hand controls.
Portable, mechanical and electronic.
Portable hand controls are relatively inexpensive
and are great to have on hand
in case your car is in the shop
and you have to drive another car.
They can be installed in minutes
and are very portable.
But they are not ideal for long and frequent drives.
Permanent hand controls are a good choice for your primary vehicle.
The standard or mechanical hand controls
come in 3 main styles.
Push pull, right angle and motorcycle.
All styles of hand controls have their pros and cons.
So, your decision will be largely based on personal preference.
I drive with right angle hand controls
Where I must press down to accelerate and forward to stop.
but I also have used push pull controls.
Push pull hand controls are very self explanatory.
To accelerate, pull the hand control towards you
and to break, push it away.
For motorcycle hand controls, you will twist your hand control to accelerate
and press it forward to stop.
I would encourage you to try the different options and figure out what works best for you.
Talk to your mobility equipment dealer
about the different types of hand controls they offer
and ask if you can try before you buy.
Step 3.
Once you have picked your hand controls
or other adaptive devices
it's time to think about your vehicle.
finding the right vehicle is just like finding the right wheel chair.
It's a balance of form and function.
Sure, you want your vehicle to have a certain appearance.
But, you also want it to be practical.
Now practical doesn't mean it has to be boring or ugly.
But it is important
to consider how you will get yourself and your chair into your vehicle.
There are many different types of ramps, lifts mechanical seats and other adaptations
That can assist you in getting yourself and your chair into your car
These are great for individuals who use power wheel chairs or have very limited hand and arm function
But I would encourage individuals who have more function
to learn how to get in and out of a vehicle
without an asistive device.
This will save you time, money and the threat of a mechanical malfunction.
There are many different ways to transfer yourself and your chair into your vehicle.
A common method. One which I use to transfer my chair into my car.
Is called the over the shoulder method.
1st: I transfer into the driver's seat of my car.
Then I recline my seat.
I take the wheels off of my chair and I place them over my shoulder and into the back seat.
I pick up my chair and I lift it over my shoulder and into the back seat.
I tilt the back of my seat
put on my seatbelt and I'm ready to go.
Individuals may also use this method, but place the chair into the passenger seat.
Individuals who drive mini vans
can transfer into the driver's seat
and then pull their entire chair into the back seat.
This method can save some time on disassembly.
Other people may choose to enter the back seat and pull their chair in behind them.
Whatever method you choose
make sure it allows you to feel confident and independent.
Transferring your chair into your car
can become slightly more challenging the taller your vehicle is
So, take that into consideration when purchasing a vehicle.
When transferring into a tall vehicle, especially if you are parked on an incline
make sure to apply your breaks on your chair.
If you're like me and you don't have breaks on your chair
then you may want to attach a bungee or some sort of cable from your chair to your car.
This will help you avoid a very awkward situation.
Another step to consider when transferring into a tall vehicle is applying your seatbelt
before you disassemble your chair.
This will give you a little extra security
when bending down over very hard pavement.
Just like the many different methods to put your chair into your vehicle
there are even more ways to transfer yourself into your vehicle.
I always look for a vehicle
that has a handle or grab bar on the driver's side
as well as the passenger side
but many times vehicles only have a handle on the passenger side.
Which can make your transfer much more difficult
when you are the driver.
Remember
When transferring into a vehicle
try to keep your arms and hands as close to your body as possible.
The further out your arm is placed
the greater the stress will be placed on your shoulder joint
By simply keeping your arms relatively close to your body during transfers
this will decrease the chance of a shoulder injury.
Step 4.
Once you have found the right vehicle for your needs
then you can complete the final step of the adaptive driving process.
Take your vehicle to a mobility equipment or conversion dealer
and have your modifications installed.
If you are purchasing a new vehicle
ask your dealer what type of reimbursement their company offers for adaptive equipment
Almost all car companies offers a certain reimbursement
for the cost of adaptive devices.
When it come to driving with a physical disability
There are dozens of different modifications
many which I did not mention in this video
that can help you be an independent driver.
It is important that you take the proper steps
to learn about your state's regulations for drivers with a disability
and the proper modifications you may require.
While it can be a long and challenging process
It's important to have your end goal in mind
To gain greater independence
and have others forget about the chair
and focus on your new set of wheels.
Thanks for watching.